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Safecrackers at large in Hinterland Towns |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 28 July 2006 |
FOLLOWING last week's news that two Maleny outlets were hit by thieves, it appears that businesses on the Hinterland should brace themselves for more amid a reported increase in crime by Range shop owners.
Worrying reports from concerned business owners have surfaced in the wake of last week's robberies which suggest that a professional safecracking crew is at large. Shop owners on the Range are warning fellow traders, forecasting more break-ins after a spate of robberies carried out just eight weeks ago.
"Safe breakers are working in this area," said Justin Bulling, owner of the Montville Veterinary Clinic. "There's a lot more crime going on than you would think." Sadly for Mr Bulling he is speaking from experience, after his clinic was broken in to and the safe removed from the premises. Mr Bulling is betting the people who executed the crime are real professionals.
"They completely removed my safe from the wall and totally destroyed my security door," he said. "They didn't touch anything else and knew exactly what to go for."
The safe was taken from the building and the crew took it elsewhere to crack it. Although the Police later recovered the safe for Mr Bulling, unsurprisingly its contents had been removed.
At that time the authorities told Mr Bulling that a staggering 20 other safes had also been targeted on that weekend, stoking concerns that the crime wave is getting under way. And while security upgrades are put in to place at Maleny's Supa IGA, the Montville IGA has also been hit. The thieves struck a fortnight ago and in the same night the crew then moved to the nearby Poets Cafe and removed the safe there too, sources said.
"Similar to the Maleny IGA robbery, the culprits got in through a window, sprayed security sensors with paint and then removed the safe," Mr Bulling said of one of the thefts. "The same people must be working all over the area." "In my view it's sending a clear message to business owners to watch out, the Police have even set up a special team to look in to it."
Mr Bullings is referring to "Operation Amplify", a Sunshine Coast Police initiative based at Kawana, which draws officers from all over the region to collaborate specifically against breaking and entering crimes. "I can't confirm that a team of safecrackers is targeting this area," said Sergeant Gary Ricks, stationed at the Maleny police station. "But the general message we are always trying to get across to people and business owners is be security aware.
"People should regularly review their security measures and business owners in particular should take into account the actions of their employees, and others who have access to their businesses."
Anyone with any information on the crimes highlighted recently in this paper is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or Maroochydore Police on 5475 2444.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 02 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
